PLANE TYPE Fighter-bomber (P-38L) In 1937 the US Army emitted a very hard specify about a new high-performances fighter, with elevate speed, climb and range capabilities. The Lockheed decided that such characteristics could be reached only with a two-engine plane, and choosed a particular conformation with a double tail and the cockpit in a wing-pod. The plane demonstrated excellent performances and to impress the US Government , the Lockheed organized a Coast to Coast flight in USA that was accomplished in the record time of 7 hours. Tested in 13 pre-series exemplars (YP-38), the "Lightning" entered in operative service in late 1941. Swift and manouverable, the P-38 was utilized a lot for its great range capabilities and for the heavy weaponry system: in the Pacific it had unusual range capabilities for that theather , and in Europe it could succesfully escort the US bombers into the heart of Germany. The P-38 was also utilized as a fighter-bomber, recon plane and night-interceptor ( with a nose-mounted radar ). The two main aces in USAAF , Bong and McGuire, flew on P-38s. After the war the planes was utilized by friendly countries.
LENGTH 11,53 m ; 37,93 Ft
WINGSPAN 15,85 m ; 52,14 Ft
WING AREA 30,42 m2 ; 36,39 Sq Yds
POWERPLANT 2 Allison V-1710-111/113 (1622 CV)
WEAPONS 4 12,7 mm mg. , 1 20mm cannon ,up to 1814 kg of bombs or rockets
MAX LOADED WEIGHT 9798 Kg ; 21629 Lbs
TOP SPEED 666 Km/h ; 414 MPH
CEILING 13410 m ; 44112 Ft
RANGE 4184 Km ; 2600 Mi